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Fish Tales

Mccowan's Seafood Reels 'em In

Dan McCowan knew his biggest challenge well when he opened shop in Glen Ellyn last April: He's selling seafood in corn and beef country.

But the focus in his McCowan Seafood Market is on fresh seafood-making sure, he said, that absolutely everything is fresh. And customers keep coming back to show they appreciate that.

"It's important that the fish is fresh to get the repeat customers," said McCowan. "We want people to be regular customers whether they are regulars once a week or once a month. If the fish they buy is good, then they'll be back."

There are various smoked fish and seafood items including smoke salmon, tuna and lox. The counter also holds seafood spreads and various shellfish, and prices range from $2.95 a pound for blue fish to $12 a pound for snapper.

And then there's that hot pot of clam chowder behind the counter. Made in the store by McCowan, New England clam chowder and Maryland crab chowder are hot items in the store every day and for sale in quantities to serve one to 100, he said.

Six to 12 varieties of fresh fish are delivered to the store daily, and McCowan of Lombard or his brother, J. Lennon, are always there to give suggestions for preparation to customers trying a new dish.

They also sell the goodies to go along with the fish, including freshly baked Italian bread, handmade pastas, sauces, spices and gumbo mixes.

Fishing, McCowan said, has been his lifetime hobby, and for 10 years he worked for a Chicago area seafood dealer. It only made sense that when he went out on his own, he stuck with what he knows and likes best: Fish.

"It's not like beef (where) there are only so many selections. There's a huge variety of fish," he said. "We'd like to help people discover that."